Their State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan was at the Teslim Balogun Stadium not only to cheer his state team to victory but to encourage youth development. Host Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola also graced the occasion to also identify with youth development through sports.

’’I thank Channels Television for this initiative that is targeted at laying a solid foundation for our kids,’’ he said before the kids took to the field. Uduaghan reminded all that Lagos has become a home to Delta after the feat of the last sports festival and vowed that the Delta kids would win.

They did. But his attention today will be in Warri where he will also attend the Governor’s Cup final. It is another youth development programme that he started to develop soccer in Delta schools.

The competition started last year in Asaba with more than 200 entries.

Christian Chukwu, Davidson Onwumi, John Omoghale and Jay Jay Okocha were among the ex internationals who gave motivational talks to students on that day of November 7, 2012.

They charged the students to imbibe discipline and dedication in both their academics and sports, adding that a bright future lay ahead for those who could take to football as a profession.

Ensuring that a hero like Christian Chukwu attended the kick off of Governor’s Cup in Delta underscored the importance Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has attached to the revival of sports in schools.

’’I’m happy that you came and I’m privileged to be sitting here with you today,’’ Uduaghan told Chukwu as he stepped out to address the students of Comprehensive High School Ogwashi Uku and Adaigbo Secondary School just before the opening game of the Governor’s Cup.

Uduaghan himself had told the students his government would help any student who aspired to be a soccer professional achieve his dream. Chukwu told them that discipline and dedication could lead them to glory. Davidson Onwumi informed the students that he played football to the top level and also bagged a university degree. He reminded that both disciplines could make them great.

Okocha stepped out to speak. He told the students that although he did not attend a university football has made him a professor and charged the players to aspire to achieve more than he did. He then turned to Comprehensive School Ogwashi Uku and said a few things in vernacular. ‘’Win today and go ahead to win the cup.

I’m behind you. Make me proud,’’ he said in Igbo. That appeared to have lifted the boys as their countenance impressed. Over 20 years Okocha played for the same school. The sentiment was, therefore, understandable.

And today Comprehensive School Ogwashi Uku are in the final and also favoured to lift the trophy going by their performance so far. They play Alegbo Secondary School today at 2pm in Warri in a match they will be beamed live to Nigerians on supersport and AIT televisions.

N1m, a bus and a training tour abroad are at stake for the winners. Edjekota School, won the third place match.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, commissioners and top government officials will grace the occasion. And this is happening barely 24 hours after Delta’s Ogedegbe Secondary School beat Uwa Primary School Edo 4-2 to win this year’s Channels Kids Soccer competition at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.